An international manhunt is underway after Monaco prosecutors identified a 39-year-old Ukrainian woman disguised as a man as the primary suspect in a Monday evening package bombing that severely injured a sanctioned multimillionaire and his family.
Interpol issued a red notice for Anastasiia Berezovska on charges of attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and placing an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent.
Authorities revealed she fled Monaco through France and Italy to Germany after detonating the remote-controlled bomb outside an apartment building around 9 p.
m. on June 29, 2026.
The explosion targeted 58-year-old real estate developer Vadym Yermolaiev, his 46-year-old partner, and their 13-year-old son.
While Yermolaiev and his son have stabilized, the female victim remains in critical condition at a Nice hospital, where French media reports indicate surgeons amputated both of her legs.
Investigation Details
Monaco Deputy Prosecutor Morgan Raymond detailed the suspect's movements during a press conference following a comprehensive review of closed-circuit television footage and witness statements.
"This new identification of the individual in question led to the discovery of a vehicle used by the person, notably in the Principality of Monaco, and to the identification of its German license plate," said Raymond.
Investigators established that Berezovska conducted surveillance on the building multiple times on June 26 and June 27 before executing the attack.
"The suspect had positioned themself on a bench at Place des Moulins shortly before the arrival of the three direct victims, who were returning on foot from dinner at a seaside restaurant," Raymond said.
The suspect reportedly tracked the family toward the steps of the residential building to plant the device before triggering the explosion.
"Upon seeing them, the suspect stood up, staying a few meters ahead of the victims, and placed an explosive device, which had been taken from her tote bag, on the entrance steps of the residential building where the victims were heading," Raymond added.
The force of the detonation was felt 13 miles away in Nice, France, according to Monaco's public prosecutor Stéphane Thibault.
"Indeed, the relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi suggest that the person who planted the device did not act alone," Raymond said.
Two men were initially detained for 48 hours for questioning, but police released them after finding no active involvement in the plot.
Meanwhile, German special forces in Hesse searched Berezovska's rented apartment and vehicle on Thursday, securing evidence for Monegasque authorities.
"Evidence has been secured and will be handed over to the Monegasque authorities.
The Hessian security authorities are supporting the Monegasque authorities in their investigations and are in close contact with them," police in the state of Hesse said in a statement.
The suspect remains at large, and the international warrant is active across 196 member countries.
"The woman being sought is currently on the run. An international arrest warrant has been issued," Hesse police added.
